Hand Procedures

Carpal Tunnel Surgery

Anything that causes swelling, thickening, or irritation of the synovial membranes around the tendons in the carpal tunnel can result in pressure on the median nerve. Some common causes and associated conditions are repetitive and forceful grasping with the hands, repetitive bending of the wrist, broken or dislocated bones in the wrist which produce swelling, arthritis, thyroid gland imbalance, sugar diabetes, hormonal changes associated with menopause, and pregnancy.

After surgery, your symptoms may be relieved immediately or in a short period of time. Tenderness at the incision site may persist until healing is complete. Numbness may remain for a period of time, particularly in older persons or in more severe cases. It may be several weeks before you can return to your normal level of physical activities; for some it will be several months. You will probably be given hand exercises to do to rebuild circulation, muscle strength, and joint flexibility in your hand and wrist.